Why do we write cover letters?

Cover letters are one of the most important components of a job application because they introduce you to a potential employer and are the first opportunity to make a good first impression.

Cover letters are used so you can explain your interest in the position, show you’ve done your research and let the employer know why you are the perfect fit for the role – this is your chance to sell yourself!

Cover letters need to be tailored to the specific job you are applying for.

Make sure to do your research into the company and job duties before you start writing your cover letter, so you can show that you have taken an interest in the company. This also allows you to create a topic of conversation, for example if you have read they have recently received an investment, you can use it to talk about wanting to join a company who are rapidly expanding and will provide progression opportunities as you’re looking to develop a career.

Read through the job description and take note of the key words they use to highlight the duties of the role and what they are looking for in a candidate. Use these key words in your cover letter so they can easily identify that you have the skills that they are looking for in a candidate.

Plus, if not mentioned in the job advert, try and find out the name of the person who is hiring for the position, so you can address the hiring manager personally. This personal touch shows the hiring manager that you have gone the extra mile and they will be more receptive to your application.

Length

A cover letter should be no more than one page or a few paragraphs long. Employers receive tons of applications per advert so keep your text straight to the point, nobody wants to be reading through waffle and if there is too many words it’s very likely someone won’t read it at all, because they haven’t got the time to! Remember employers are going to try and shortlist suitable candidates in the quickest time that they can.

Tone

You should always use a professional tone when writing a cover letter and you must avoid using offensive language.

Structure

• Your cover letter should start with a header on the right hand side of the page that includes your contact information such as your name, phone number and email (remember to use a professional email)
• On the left hand side of the page you need to write the date
• Underneath you need to list the hiring managers name, job title and the address of the company who are applying to
• Underneath the company address, this is where you greet the hiring manager, e.g. Dear Mr Smith

Example:

Paragraph 1

You want to grab the reader’s attention in the first line. This is your opportunity to really express your enthusiasm for the position.

Include the position you are applying for and a short summary of why you want to apply for this position. You can include a monumental achievement that shows your success within the industry or previous role. If you are a beginner in the field and want to gain experience in that industry, explain why you do.

Paragraph 2

This is where you really sell yourself and show the employer why you are the best fit for the job. In this section talk about specific details of your qualifications and experience that relates to the requirements they are seeking in a candidate. This is the section where you need to address all of the required skills listed in the job advertisement and use keywords from the job description. You can also use this section to provide examples of your achievements.

Remember to talk about your work history in chronological order, starting with your most recent job. However you don’t need to include every job, if your first job was working in a bar and this has no relevance to the position you are apply for, leave it out and talk about the work experience and skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. When talking about the positions you have held, include the job title, industry you are working/worked in, the dates you held the position and the duties involved.

Paragraph 3

In this paragraph talk about why you are a good fit for the company itself. This is where you can talk about the company’s culture and values and how they fit in line with your values. Let the hiring manager know what you would contribute to the company that will add value to their business. If they hold events and incentives for staff, you can mention how important it is to you to work for a company that value their staff.

Closing

In the closing lines of your cover letter, readdress your enthusiasm for the position and how much you look forward to discussing this further. Add a call to action for the hiring manager, such as mentioning that you have attached a copy of your CV so they can review your work history and skills even further.

Remember to sign off your cover letter in a polite way, a great way to do this would be to state ‘Thank you for your time and consideration’.

Finish with:

‘Sincerely,

Your name’

Finally, remember to proof read your cover letter! Take some time away from it and come back with fresh eyes to go over your spelling and grammar. You can even ask a friend or relative to read over it for you too in case they spot any mistakes you may have missed.

Read more tips on our blog…

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